Gloucestershire Cricket one-day captain Michael Klinger to take break from cricket to support his wife during cancer battle

PERTH, AUSTRALIA - SEPTEMBER 29: Michael Klinger of WA fields during the JLT One Day Cup match between New South Wales and Western Australia at WACA on September 29, 2017 in Perth, Australia. (Photo by Will Russell/Getty Images)

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He said: “Last week, my wife Cindy had a routine scan on her back, which had been causing her pain and no physiotherapy or anti-inflammatory tablets seemed to help.

“The result of that scan completely shocked and devastated us.

“Doctors identified three spots on her vertebrae that required further investigation – within hours, we were told she had cancer.

“A biopsy was taken of the lesion and determined that my wife of almost 10 years had breast cancer that, based on the information we have so far, has spread to at least those three spots identified on her spine.”

Klinger has been a popular figure at Gloucestershire since joining the club in 2012 and has often been seen around the County Ground in Bristol or at the College Ground during the Cheltenham Cricket Festival with his wife Cindy and their children: Bailey, 7; Summer, 5; and Easton 1.

“We had to tell Bailey and Summer of the fight their mother now faces, which is something I wouldn’t wish on anyone,” wrote Klinger.

“In fact, along with delivering a eulogy at my mother’s funeral, it was the hardest and most terrible thing I’ve had to do in my life.

“I have never considered myself to be the most skilled or flashy batsman going around, but every time I step on the field, I do so with a winning and competitive attitude – I’m a fighter.

CHELTENHAM, ENGLAND - JULY 13: Michael Klinger of Gloucestershire bats during the Natwest T20 Blast match between Gloucestershire and Kent at the College Ground on July 13, 2017 in Cheltenham, England. (Photo by Harry Trump/Getty Images)

“For the 14 years since I met Cindy, she has been my No.1 supporter, my confidante, my motivator, my carer. My everything.

“But our roles reversed from the moment we found out Cindy had cancer.

“Cindy must now take the mantle as the ‘fighter’ and bring a positive and winning attitude to every treatment and hurdle she runs into along the way.

“I, on the other hand, need to become chief carer, supporter and motivator.

“Playing cricket, right at this moment, is secondary.

“It still may happen, because Cindy wants me to play and says it will be a good distraction for her and the kids to see me do so, either on TV or at #TheFurnace.

“But, by my choice, if playing clashes with any appointments or treatments, or if Cindy or the kids need me, I will be by their side.”

Klinger is contracted to play for Gloucestershire in 2019, predominantly in the 50-over and Twenty20 competitions, but it is not yet known whether this will affect his plans to return next summer.

The 34-year-old opening batsman led the club to the 2015 Royal London One-Day Cup triumph and made his first appearance for Australia in February this year, playing in three T20 internationals against Sri Lanka.